Week 5: Bills vs. Raiders Preview
The Bills are coming off their biggest win over the last two years with the win over Chicago last Sunday. The Raiders come to town undefeated with an offensive attack that matches or is even better than the Bills. This promises to be a high scoring affair between the two teams ranked first and second in passing offense. For the Bills fans sake, a close game will hopefully not go to overtime as the Bills have got to the extra period three times in their first four games.

Facts and Figures

Matchup:

Oakland (3-0) at Buffalo (2-2)

Date:

Sunday October 6, 2002

Place:

Ralph Wilson Stadium

Time:

1:00pm

Television:

CBS

Announcers:

Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross, Beasley Reece

Spread:

Raiders by 3

Series:

Bills lead 17-16 (2-0 in playoffs)

Last Meeting:

Raiders 20-14 in Buffalo (1999)

Raiders Offense:

Rush (9th); Pass (2nd); overall (1st)

Raiders Def:

Rush (1st); Pass (25th); overall (t-9th)

Bills Offense:

Rush (25th); Pass (3rd); overall (6th)

Bills Defense:

Rush (23rd); Pass (14th); overall (15th)

Injury Update

Amazingly enough the Bills survived the first quarter of the season without losing any players due to injury. There were a few players banged up last week but the only two of note wre Travis Henry and Jay Riemersma. Both players are expected to practice throughout the week and will play on Sunday.

The Raiders are without their best cornerback as Charles Woodson will miss at least one more week with a shoulder injury. Guard Mo Collins and WR James Jett both were held out of the Titans game last week with knee injuries.

For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report go to our Injury Page.

Key Matchups

DT Pat Williams vs. RB Charlie Garner: Williams played like a man on a mission last week as he shutdown the run despite being double teamed on many occasions. If Williams brings the same intensity this week the Bills could shutdown Garner and make the Raiders try to win the game through the air.

CB Chris Watson vs. WR Tim Brown: The Raiders use three wideouts most of the time which means Watson will spend a lot of time on the field. The Raiders would love to get Brown locked up with Watson and that may be the case most of the game. If Watson has another long day the Bills are in trouble

QB Drew Bledsoe vs. FS Rod Woodson: Bledsoe is on fire now and has not throw an interception since the first game of the year. Woodson is a crafty veteran who returned a pick for a score last week.

WR Peerless Price vs. CB Phillip Buchanon: Buchanon has the task of filling in for the injured Charles Woodson. The Bills will try to exploit that weakness with getting Price one on one with him. Also they may mix it up and put Eric Moulds against the backup.

RG Marques Sullivan vs. DT Sam Adams: Adams is a solid stuffer in the middle of the Raiders defense. Sullivan is coming off a sub-par game against Chicago and needs to play better against the big Adams. If Adams clogs up the middle it will make it harder for the Bills to run the football.

Game Plan

When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills best chance of winning will be to attack the Raiders weakpoint and that is their pass defense. With Charles Woodson out the Raiders are near the botttom in that category and the Bills will try to exploit it through the air. They won't totally give up on the running attack but it will be a tough road against the top ranked run defense in the league.

When The Raiders Have The Ball: The Raiders may be the best balanced offense in the league they can beat you through the air or on the ground. Look for them to mix it up pretty good, using the running game of Charlie Garner to open up some play action passing.

Bills Daily Prediction

The Bills are playing real good football right now, but the Raiders may be one of the best teams in the league. The Bills must avoid the classic letdown after the huge win last week. It will take a perfect game to beat the Raiders and they may not have that in them this week. It will be the high scoring affair that everyone thinks but the Raiders will come out on top: Raiders 38, Bills 34

Season Prediction Record: (4-0)Season Record Against The Spread: (4-0)